Jobs in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa: credit, real estate, property taxes)

[sillynaz]

I have been hearing that there are plenty of jobs in Oklahoma, however, when I search monster and other employment websites I have failed to see a significant number of job listings.

Also, of the jobs that I have been able to see, the earnings are particularly low. For example, I went to a city website and the hourly range was 9 to 12 an hour. But a decent home in edmond cost about $130,000. It just does not seem all that inexpensive to me, I could be wrong. I would like for it to be inexpensive. I have concerned moving there, however, I do not want to trade up for the same thing I have here in Phoenix. I moved here because about five years ago, it was very inexpensive. The average job paid $10 to $12 an hour, but the houses cost about $80,000. in metro phoenix. now in four years, the cost has tripled and it is very unaffordable here and the earnings have not gone up.

I cant keep running every four years when the cost start going up. Basically, I would like to know what do you think the average monthly income would need to be in oklahoma for a family of three? Thanks.

[peggydavis]

I would say that the jobs that pay a lot in Oklahoma City are professional jobs or in the oilfield, skilled construction, etc. Most office jobs do pay about $10-12 an hour on up.

It's hard to say how much a family of three would need to live. How much each family needs depends on their tastes, debt, assets etc. I lived OK on $40,000 a year, making a house payment and a car payment. On the bright side, I don't see costs going way up here like in other parts of the country.

Uh-oh... Iowa State is pretty scrappy so far against OU.

[Nameless]

I don't see a reason why it would go up in the rural areas. But OKC and Tulsa are growing so fast I'm shocked there hasn't been a definite price increase, yet.

[Jammie]

Hi Silly, instead of using "Monster", you may want to check out the newspaper ads for the city you're interested in. There is a lot of employment in many different categories.

As far as the cost of living, I've done quite a thorough search on it. OK does have a state income tax and they're tax on goods is nearly 9%, BUT their real estate tax is extremely low. I've searched for small homes (just the two of us), especially condos in the Tulsa area. They are extremely cheap compared to many parts of the country. If you go to Realtor.com, it should bring up quite a few reasonably priced homes for the area you're looking at. Even today, you may still be able to find a fairly nice home for the 80,000 you paid for your house in Az. a few years ago. Good luck in your search.

[peggydavis]

Houses in some of the rural areas are very cheap. Taxes are low also. I don't see housing and taxes in OKC and Tulsa going up that much in the future, with the tightening of credit. I don't see them falling either, so we are in a good spot.

I hear it is very bad in some places. People have owned their homes for years, then the rapid increases in home prices caused their property taxes to skyrocket. I think I would rather live in a state that taxed your income more and your property less after reading some of the stories on other states' forums.

It was an exciting game, but OU won!

[Jammie]

Alright OU!!!! We don't watch sports, but I'm happy that they won.

Seriously Silly, you should check out realtor.com. I have spare time today so I went to realtor.com and did a search. My price range was from zero to 100,000. It brought up 30 choices for homes. Granted, the first few weren't that nice and there were a few condos on there, which it doesn't sound like you're interested in. But there were some very nice homes on there that were listed at under 100,000. Keep in mind that if the list price is 95,000, you'll probably get the house for a price in the area of the 80,000 you paid several years ago for your home. Good luck in your search.

[peggydavis]

OSU won too. I always root for both of them, and when they play each other I am neutral. Until one of them begins to win, then I am for that team.

[Nameless]

You're not from Oklahoma if you root for both of them! That's just not natural. I could care less if OSU does well, they're competition for OU to play in the big 12 championship. I look at anyone funny who cheers for both teams, and peggy, I'm looking cross eyed at you right now

[peggydavis]

Well, I graduated from UCO. Go Bronchos! Where is that football stadium?

[Synopsis]

Ahh Bedlam, that ought to be a good game. It most always is.